The "classic" lineup of Jefferson Airplane, from October 1966 to February 1970, was Marty Balin (vocals), Paul Kantner (guitar, vocals), Grace Slick (vocals), Jorma Kaukonen (lead guitar, vocals), Jack Casady (bass), and Spencer Dryden (drums). Marty Balin left the band in 1971. After 1972, Jefferson Airplane effectively split into two groups. Kaukonen and Casady moved on full time to their own band, Hot Tuna. Slick, Kantner, and the remaining members of Jefferson Airplane recruited new members and regrouped as Jefferson Starship in 1974, with Marty Balin eventually joining them. Jefferson Airplane was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996 and was presented with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.
Spencer Dryden died on January 11, 2005.
Both Signe Anderson and Paul Kantner died on January 28, 2016.
Marty Balin died on September 27, 2018
A Song For All Seasons
Jefferson Airplane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the friends that I'd met would have to say
While your records line the shelves
You're fighting amongst yourselves
That's a hell of a lot of dues for you to pay
Well the word my friend you know is on the street
It's on the lips of everyone I meet
While you're climbin' up the chart
I guess your life just ain't really that complete
You know your car with which I was impressed
Well I hear that it's gonna be repossessed
Well I thought you had it made
But you ain't even paid
For the things that you've bought
Since the acid test
I hear you manager skipped town with all your pay
And your lead singer's bulge turns the censors grey
Wall that's really a doggone shame
But who's there left to blame
And all you ever really wanted was just to play
They say your drummer he's crazy as a loon
Last night they found him baying at the moon
As as for your lead guitar
He just cracked up his car
But he should be out of traction very soon
Well my friend it's time for me to go
I just can't be late for my evening show
You see I've written this tune
And I hope that very soon
I'll be heard on Top 40 radio
In these lyrics, the singer is talking to a friend in a band who has been struggling. The word on the street is that the band is having internal conflicts despite having records on the shelves. The singer remarks that the band has had to pay a lot of dues. Meanwhile, the band's success on the charts contrasts with their recent falling apart. The singer mentions that the lead singer's bulge turns the censors grey, meaning their lyrics may be considered inappropriate. Throughout the song, the singer expresses empathy for the band and hopes that their friend's band could capture some success soon.
Line by Line Meaning
Well the word was out on the street today
I received some news from my friends in the music industry today
All the friends that I'd met would have to say
Everyone I spoke to had the same message
While your records line the shelves
You are successful and your music is popular
You're fighting amongst yourselves
Your band is internally conflicted
That's a hell of a lot of dues for you to pay
The struggles you are facing are immense
Well the word my friend you know is on the street
The news I received earlier is public knowledge
It's on the lips of everyone I meet
Everyone is talking about it
While you're climbin' up the chart
Your music is becoming more and more popular
Your band just fell apart
Your band broke up unexpectedly
I guess your life just ain't really that complete
Your success does not necessarily bring you happiness
You know your car with which I was impressed
I was envious of your car
Well I hear that it's gonna be repossessed
I heard that you cannot afford it anymore and it will be taken away
Well I thought you had it made
I thought you were living the dream
But you ain't even paid
You have not paid for everything that you bought
For the things that you've bought
The possessions you have accumulated
Since the acid test
Since the beginning of your career
I hear your manager skipped town with all your pay
Your manager ran away with all the money
And your lead singer's bulge turns the censors grey
The lead singer's provocative clothing is causing controversy
Wall that's really a doggone shame
That is truly unfortunate
But who's there left to blame
There is no one to hold accountable
And all you ever really wanted was just to play
Your main goal was always to perform and play music
They say your drummer he's crazy as a loon
Your drummer is rumored to be mentally unstable
Last night they found him baying at the moon
He was acting strange and making animal noises
As as for your lead guitar
As for your lead guitar player
He just cracked up his car
He was in a car accident
But he should be out of traction very soon
However, he should recover soon
Well my friend it's time for me to go
I must leave soon
I just can't be late for my evening show
I cannot be late for my performance tonight
You see I've written this tune
This song that I am singing
And I hope that very soon
I hope that one day
I'll be heard on Top 40 radio
My music will be played on mainstream radio
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SPENCER DRYDEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Stephen Coomer
Well the word was out on the street today
All the friends that I'd met would have to say
While your records line the shelves
You're fighting amongst yourselves
That's a hell of a lot of dues for you to pay
Well the word my friend you know is on the street
It's on the lips of everyone I meet
While you're climbin' up the chart
Your band just fell apart
I guess your life just ain't really that complete
You know your car with which I was impressed
Well I hear that it's gonna be repossessed
Well I thought you had it made
But you ain't even paid
For the things that you've bought
Since the acid test
I hear you manager skipped town with all your pay
And your lead singer's bulge turns the censors grey
Wall that's really a doggone shame
But who's there left to blame
And all you ever really wanted was just to play
They say your drummer he's crazy as a loon
Last night they found him baying at the moon
As as for your lead guitar
He just cracked up his car
But he should be out of traction very soon
Well my friend it's time for me to go
I just can't be late for my evening show
You see I've written this tune
And I hope that very soon
I'll be heard on Top 40 radio
clarkewi
Love it. I received this LP Christmas 1968. I was 17 living in LA.
Stephen Coomer
Well the word was out on the street today
All the friends that I'd met would have to say
While your records line the shelves
You're fighting amongst yourselves
That's a hell of a lot of dues for you to pay
Well the word my friend you know is on the street
It's on the lips of everyone I meet
While you're climbin' up the chart
Your band just fell apart
I guess your life just ain't really that complete
You know your car with which I was impressed
Well I hear that it's gonna be repossessed
Well I thought you had it made
But you ain't even paid
For the things that you've bought
Since the acid test
I hear you manager skipped town with all your pay
And your lead singer's bulge turns the censors grey
Wall that's really a doggone shame
But who's there left to blame
And all you ever really wanted was just to play
They say your drummer he's crazy as a loon
Last night they found him baying at the moon
As as for your lead guitar
He just cracked up his car
But he should be out of traction very soon
Well my friend it's time for me to go
I just can't be late for my evening show
You see I've written this tune
And I hope that very soon
I'll be heard on Top 40 radio
Izz the Wizz
i passed the acid test with flying colors thanks to this song
john iorio
which one??
Collin Cook
man this tune takes me back to better days, but it feels good remembering who I was and how I got here.
Brian Patrick Crowley
Love the harmonies on the country sounding songs by the Airplane. Them and later Jefferson Starship are some of the best bands.
Chris Ranger
Does anybody know the guitar chords for this tune? Dying to play it with some friends.
Keith Marjoram
Why no mention of Nicky Hopkins in credits - the piano makes this song
Fernando Bouzada
the only jefferson airplane song that welcomes the beer
Tyler Stanley
Love the mock country feel to this